JK Orthodontics helps many children with a variety of oral health issues, and parents should be on the lookout for early warnings signs for these problems!
There’s no denying that children experience unique types of oral health issues, and this is primarily due to the fact that their teeth and jaw lines are still developing. From a parent’s perspective, it’s important to not procrastinate when noticing early warning signs of dental and oral health complications.
Visiting your dentist will always go a long way to help eliminate the risks of cavity development, misalignments, crowding and other oral health problems that will ultimately necessitate orthodontic treatment.
Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are closely aligned because early dental issues will many times be a sign that children will need to see an orthodontist at an early age. We recommend that parents bring in their child at about age 7 for an initial consultation with Dr. Karpac, because at 7 we’ll be able to treat a child’s permanent teeth and ensure the child’s overall oral development.
But there are many oral health issues that parents should be on the lookout for before their child turns 7, and below are some common dental issues that children experience that frequently necessitate orthodontic care!
1. Early Loss Of Baby Teeth
There are many instances in which a child will lose their baby teeth too early, so their permanent teeth haven’t grown in properly prior to the baby teeth falling out. Although it’s safe to say that the child’s permanent teeth will still emerge even with early baby teeth loss, the early loss can subsequently lead to other oral health issues.
When a child loses a baby tooth too early, there will be a gap that may detrimentally affect their gum line and the growth of their permanent teeth. What tends to occur is that the child’s permanent teeth will emerge misaligned or sideways, which then will require orthodontic attention to properly adjust.
2. Cavities
Countless children experience cavities between the ages of 5-11, and children tend to be more at risk of incurring cavities due to them eating foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates.
And when a child’s dental hygiene routine isn’t sufficient consistent, the results can be an influx of detrimental tartar and plaque. Plaque is very bad because it can exacerbate enamel deterioration, and this is particularly troubling for children who have all of their permanent teeth.
Although cavities may not necessarily result in the need for orthodontic care, it could be directly related to crowding and misaligned teeth. Misaligned teeth are much harder for children to properly clean on a daily basis, and orthodontic treatment can make regular dental hygiene much easier and more efficient!
3. Sensitive Teeth
When a child experiences enamel depletion, the nerves found within their teeth can become much more sensitive to all sorts of sensations. Your child may end up complaining about tooth pains while eating cold or hot foods, and children are especially susceptible to enamel depletion because their teeth are still developing.
Sensitive teeth is a clear warning sign that you should reach out to your pediatric dental team, because enamel depletion can later lead to tooth instability and receding.
When a child has all of their permanent teeth, this type of dental issue can be particularly alarming. Many of our younger patients will come to us complaining of this type of tooth pain, and orthodontic treatment can support tooth root integrity and ensure that the patient’s gums are strong for many years to come!
4. Teeth Grinding
Many pediatric dentists will have to deal with teeth grinding amongst their patients, and this is a common oral health concern with children.
But it’s important for parents to understand that teeth grinding can also be a sign of teeth misalignment, and one common scenario is that the lower jaw is protruding further than the upper one (also referred to as an underbite). There are many other types of jaw and teeth misalignments that will necessitate orthodontic treatment, so parents should always reach out to our team when they notice signs of teeth grinding.
If teeth grinding in children is left untreated, it can lead to other common oral health issues like enamel erosion and serious teeth sensitivity.
5. Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is all too common amongst younger children, and it can be very problematic for their entire oral health development. Thumb sucking can inadvertently impact teeth alignment, and it’s common for prolonged thumb sucking to lead to lisps and other types of speaking difficulties.
Although orthodontic specialists can’t necessarily stop thumb sucking, we can surely support children with their speech difficulties by realigning their smiles and helping them to develop healthier oral hygiene routines.
Reach Out To JK Orthodontics To Learn More About How We Can Support Your Child Through Our Orthodontic Treatment Services!
JK Orthodontics has helped countless families throughout the Columbus Metro Area for over 30 years when it comes to addressing all sorts of oral health issues that only orthodontic treatment can fully resolve; and we’ll always be more than happy to answer all of your questions/concerns when it comes to your child’s dental health.
So feel free to reach out to us online or schedule a virtual appointment with us to get in touch with our team and let us know how we can support your child’s development. You can also call us at 614-766-0330 (Dublin office) or 614-471-6355 (Gahanna office).
We look forward to hearing from you and supporting your child towards a healthier, beautiful smile that will last a lifetime!